04 01 language and culture u1a

Module

1A

Mission Impossible

Teenagers all over the world have
many interests in common despite
geographical distances. They like
hanging out, listening to music, chatting
with friends and surfing the Net. But their
daily activities vary from place to place
and depend on cultural practices.
For example, a typical day in Paul’s life
may be rather different from yours, since
he is a 14-year-old English adolescent.
During school days, he always gets up
early and has a bowl of cereals and
orange juice. He then walks to the bus
stop and takes the school bus. School
starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.
Some of the subjects that he attends
are Maths, Science, Drama, English and
Humanities and each lesson lasts one
hour. After the first two periods, there is
a break and Paul always has a snack
and chats with his friends. At lunchtime,
he buys the school lunch in the canteen
and sometimes brings a packed lunch.
It usually consists of a sandwich, a fruit
and a drink. After having his meal, Paul

continues with his lessons, which take
place in different classrooms. That is
why he carries his schoolbag whenever
he changes places. But he also has a
locker to keep the materials he does not
use.
During his free time, Paul plays his
favourite sport, football, but he loves
to play on his Wii with his friends.
He also has to help his mum. He
does housework and very often goes
shopping to the local store. Every
afternoon, Paul does his homework and
devotes time to study since he has to
take the GCSE exams very soon. At
about 6.30 p.m., Paul has dinner with
his dad and mum. Sometimes, they buy
Indian meal or his parents cook pasta
or Paul’s favourite food, roast beef and
Yorkshire pudding with beans. After
dinner, Paul always wants to watch
TV but his mum makes him wash the
dishes, which he hardly ever does
without complaining! He then takes a
shower and goes to bed.

Adapted from: www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/teenagediary.htm

Did you know...

... that GCSE means General Certificate of Secondary Education? These tests are taken
in a number of subjects to complete the first stage of Secondary Education.

English Toolkit 1 - Language & Culture

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

A day in the life of an English teenager


Module

1A
Activities
1Read the text about Paul and complete his diary with the
correct activity from the box.
finish school – have dinner – get up – go shopping – start school – have lunch

Work in pairs. Ask questions orally about
Paul’s day using the Simple Present.

a.m.
a.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.

What time does he finish school?
Does he have dinner at 4:30 p.m.?

2Read the text and complete the diagrams.

have

do

take
a shower

3Underline the adverbs of frequency that appear in the text.
4Complete the text about Paul’s day during holidays.
Use the Simple Present.
During holidays, Paul
(get up) at midday. He
(not have)
breakfast but he
(have) lunch. He then
(watch)
TV or
(send) a text message to a friend to invite him to play on the Wii.
Sometimes, they
(go) to play football. At 6 p.m., Paul
(have) dinner with his family and
(use) the computer for a while before he
(go) to sleep.

5Write a paragraph describing a typical day in your life.
These questions are given as a guide:
What time do you get up? What do you usually have for breakfast? How

do you go to school? What time does school start? What do you do at
school? Where do you have lunch? What time do you arrive home? What
do you do in the afternoon? Do you practise any sport or do any other
activity? What time do you have dinner? When do you go to bed?
English Toolkit 1 - Language & Culture

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

6:30
8:45
1:00
3:15
4:30
6:30